Manchester City can close gap on top two with Watford win

<h2 style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 500; line-height: 1.4em; margin-bottom: 0.375em; text-rendering: optimizeLegibility;"> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Watford v Manchester City</span></h2> <div style="-webkit-font-feature-settings: 'liga' 1, 'dlig' 1; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 24.5455px; word-break: break-word; word-wrap: break-word;"> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700;"></span></span></div> <ul style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 24.5455px; list-style-type: none; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> <li style="box-sizing: border-box;">Premier League</li> <li style="box-sizing: border-box;">Saturday, January 2nd</li> <li style="box-sizing: border-box;">Kick-off: 17:30 GMT</li> <li style="box-sizing: border-box;">Vicarage Road, Watford</li> <li style="box-sizing: border-box;">Live on Sky Sports 1</li> </span></span></ul> <div style="-webkit-font-feature-settings: 'liga' 1, 'dlig' 1; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 24.5455px; word-break: break-word; word-wrap: break-word;"> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700;"></span></span></div> <h2 style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 500; line-height: 1.4em; margin-bottom: 0.375em; text-rendering: optimizeLegibility;"> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">City can close gap on top two</span></h2> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700; line-height: 24.5455px;"></span></span><br /> <div style="-webkit-font-feature-settings: 'liga' 1, 'dlig' 1; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 24.5455px; word-break: break-word; word-wrap: break-word;"> <span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Manchester City will look to <span style="color: #004191;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.298039); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; box-sizing: border-box;">close the gap on the Premier League’s top two</span></span>with victory at Vicarage Road over Watford, with the hosts having not defeated the Sky Blues in eight previous meetings.</span></span></div> <div> <span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700;"><div style="-webkit-font-feature-settings: 'liga' 1, 'dlig' 1; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: normal; line-height: 24.5455px; word-break: break-word; word-wrap: break-word;"> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Although, the Hornets have enjoyed a solid campaign, despite many having tipped them to struggle since promotion, and they are 15/4 with Coral to record a win over Manuel Pellegrini’s men on home soil.</span></div> <div style="-webkit-font-feature-settings: 'liga' 1, 'dlig' 1; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: normal; line-height: 24.5455px; word-break: break-word; word-wrap: break-word;"> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Rather than looking down the league table and aiming to avoid relegation, Quique Sanchez Flores’ side are actually involved in a push for a European position,<span style="color: #004191;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.298039); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700;">though City are 21/10 to win to nil in this Saturday evening encounter.</span></span></span></div> <h2 style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 500; line-height: 1.4em; margin-bottom: 0.375em; text-rendering: optimizeLegibility;"> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Ighalo can inspire Hornets</span></h2> <div style="-webkit-font-feature-settings: 'liga' 1, 'dlig' 1; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: normal; line-height: 24.5455px; word-break: break-word; word-wrap: break-word;"> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Whatever success Watford have enjoyed to this point of the campaign can be hugely credited to in-form frontman Odion Ighalo. The 26-year-old hitman has netted 14 top-flight goals this season and netted more than any other player in English football last year.</span></div> <div> <div style="-webkit-font-feature-settings: 'liga' 1, 'dlig' 1; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: normal; line-height: 24.5455px; word-break: break-word; word-wrap: break-word;"> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Hornets marksman is 15/8 to dispatch again anytime on home turf, while club captain Troy Deeney is 13/2 to open proceedings after also helping play his part in Watford’s impressive top-flight return.</span></div> <div style="-webkit-font-feature-settings: 'liga' 1, 'dlig' 1; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: normal; line-height: 24.5455px; word-break: break-word; word-wrap: break-word;"> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">City possess an abundance of attacking threat capable of downing the hosts though,<span style="color: #004191;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.298039); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700;">with Sergio Aguero 4/1 to bag a brace or more this time out</span></span> and the mercurial Kevin De Bruyne and David Silva are 5/4 and 7/4 to net anytime respectively.</span></div> <div style="-webkit-font-feature-settings: 'liga' 1, 'dlig' 1; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: normal; line-height: 24.5455px; word-break: break-word; word-wrap: break-word;"> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The visitors already overcame their latest opponents at the Etihad in August, with Raheem Sterling opening the scoring before Fernandinho rounded off a 2-0 win, <span style="color: #004191;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.298039); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700;">and the former Liverpool winger is 7/4 to find the net again</span></span> this time around.</span></div> <h2 style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 500; line-height: 1.4em; margin-bottom: 0.375em; text-rendering: optimizeLegibility;"> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Clichy joins Kompany on sidelines</span></h2> <div style="-webkit-font-feature-settings: 'liga' 1, 'dlig' 1; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: normal; line-height: 24.5455px; word-break: break-word; word-wrap: break-word;"> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Pellegrini revealed that full back Gael Clichy will join skipper Vincent Kompany and Samir Nasri on the sidelines through injury, but there are no other fresh concerns in his squad.</span></div> </div> <div> <div style="-webkit-font-feature-settings: 'liga' 1, 'dlig' 1; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: normal; line-height: 24.5455px; word-break: break-word; word-wrap: break-word;"> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Watford will be without the services of on-loan Chelsea starlet Nathan Ake, after the full back was sent off against Tottenham previously. Flores could therefore call upon experienced Greek Jose Holebas, with Vaalon Behrami also pushing for a start.</span></div> <div style="-webkit-font-feature-settings: 'liga' 1, 'dlig' 1; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: normal; line-height: 24.5455px; word-break: break-word; word-wrap: break-word;"> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Man City have been a dominant force on home turf but continue to endure some setbacks on their travels and Watford will look to exploit that, with the Hornets 14/5 to earn a draw against the Sky Blues in the Premier League’s Saturday evening match-up.</span></div> </div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVSeEDVO7rhGZE_zeuREBrtYEii7XO-CMStnKyj1f60B3odDji6GtkUPVYgRR_x_csOG2BUjos9Bo6p8D1Ja2A0zeNX3XrAcpWB_HggTPnFmjtbP4Eh5kucseIwXLStakWDT1vBu6JbA/s1600/96.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="165" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVSeEDVO7rhGZE_zeuREBrtYEii7XO-CMStnKyj1f60B3odDji6GtkUPVYgRR_x_csOG2BUjos9Bo6p8D1Ja2A0zeNX3XrAcpWB_HggTPnFmjtbP4Eh5kucseIwXLStakWDT1vBu6JbA/s400/96.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> <div> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div> <div> <br /></div> </span></div>

Manchester City can close gap on top two with Watford win

Watford v Manchester City Premier League Saturday, January 2nd Kick-off: 17:30 GMT Vicarage Road, Watford Live on Sky Sports 1 ...

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West Ham v Liverpool: Hammers offer value in low-scoring game

<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: 1px; color: #1e1e1e; line-height: 21px; padding-bottom: 0.5em;"> <span style="font-weight: 600;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">West Ham v Liverpool</span><br />Saturday, 12:45<br />Live on BT Sport 1</span></span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: 1px; color: #1e1e1e; line-height: 21px; padding-bottom: 0.5em;"> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /><span style="font-weight: 600;">West Ham</span></span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: 1px; color: #1e1e1e; line-height: 21px; padding-bottom: 0.5em;"> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Following five consecutive draws - three of which were goalless - manager <span style="font-weight: 600;">Slaven Bilic</span> was understandably relieved to see his side come from behind to record their first win in two months against Southampton on Tuesday.</span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: 1px; color: #1e1e1e; line-height: 21px; padding-bottom: 0.5em;"> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">West Ham had become the <span style="font-weight: 600;">Premier League's</span> draw specialists but, with everyone else dropping points along the way, by not losing games the Hammers remain in genuine contention for a top-four berth just six points behind Spurs.</span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: 1px; color: #1e1e1e; line-height: 21px; padding-bottom: 0.5em;"> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Andy Carroll's winner in the week was a timely boost, and with goals in general proving hard to come by the Hammers will be hoping that the big man can rediscover his best form and put a few big games together on the bounce. While the imminent return of <span style="font-weight: 600;">Dmitri Payet</span>, Winston Reid and Victor Moses gives the east Londoners a much more optimistic outlook on the immediate future as we begin 2016.</span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: 1px; color: #1e1e1e; line-height: 21px; padding-bottom: 0.5em;"> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /><span style="font-weight: 600;">Liverpool</span></span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: 1px; color: #1e1e1e; line-height: 21px; padding-bottom: 0.5em;"> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Reds can be pleased to get back to winning ways following <span style="font-weight: 600;">back-to-back wins</span> against Leicester and Sunderland, but the manner of those performances, particularly against Sunderland, should significantly temper short-term expectations at Anfield.</span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: 1px; color: #1e1e1e; line-height: 21px; padding-bottom: 0.5em;"> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As we also saw at Watford a couple of weeks ago, Jurgen Klopp still has a lot of work to do to turn Liverpool into genuine title contenders but in a wide-open Premier League a top four finish is still a realistic target.</span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: 1px; color: #1e1e1e; line-height: 21px; padding-bottom: 0.5em;"> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-weight: 600;">Christian Benteke</span> now has two in his last two appearances, although the one-on-one chance he missed at Sunderland on Wednesday didn't exactly inspire confidence to suggest that the Belgian can fill Daniel Sturridge's boots in the long-term.</span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: 1px; color: #1e1e1e; line-height: 21px; padding-bottom: 0.5em;"> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /><span style="font-weight: 600;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; transition: color 0.2s;">Match Odds</span></span></span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: 1px; color: #1e1e1e; line-height: 21px; padding-bottom: 0.5em;"> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In <span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-weight: 600; transition: color 0.2s;">my midweek preview</span> I was reluctant to back Liverpool to win at the Stadium of Light at odds of around <span class="inline-odds has-qtip" data-hasqtip="1" oldtitle="5/7" style="background: rgb(255, 184, 12); font-weight: 600; padding: 3px 2px 1px;" title=""><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; transition: color 0.2s;">1.71</span></span>, and although I was perhaps proved wrong on that one I saw nothing in that game that suggests to me that they should be such strong favourites (<span class="inline-odds has-qtip" data-hasqtip="2" oldtitle="11/10" style="background: rgb(255, 184, 12); font-weight: 600; padding: 3px 2px 1px;" title=""><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; transition: color 0.2s;">2.10</span></span>) away to a good West Ham side.</span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: 1px; color: #1e1e1e; line-height: 21px; padding-bottom: 0.5em;"> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Unlike Sunderland though, I am happy to take the generous odds of <span class="inline-odds has-qtip" data-hasqtip="3" oldtitle="3/1" style="background: rgb(255, 184, 12); font-weight: 600; padding: 3px 2px 1px;" title=""><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; transition: color 0.2s;">4.00</span></span> on a <span style="font-weight: 600;">West Ham win</span>. With key players expected to return from injury - most notably Dmitri Payet - and a recent win under their belt, the Hammers are a huge value bet to take all three points on their home patch this weekend.</span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: 1px; color: #1e1e1e; line-height: 21px; padding-bottom: 0.5em;"> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /><span style="font-weight: 600;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; transition: color 0.2s;">Over/Under 2.5 Goals</span></span></span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: 1px; color: #1e1e1e; line-height: 21px; padding-bottom: 0.5em;"> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If you're not entirely comfortable with value bets at longer odds, then the <span style="font-weight: 600;">Under 2.5 selection</span> at odds of <span class="inline-odds has-qtip" data-hasqtip="4" oldtitle="5/6" style="background: rgb(255, 184, 12); font-weight: 600; padding: 3px 2px 1px;" title=""><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; transition: color 0.2s;">1.85</span></span> is another stonking value bet that you can take advantage of.</span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: 1px; color: #1e1e1e; line-height: 21px; padding-bottom: 0.5em;"> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-weight: 600;">Five of West Ham's last six</span> matches have had fewer than 2.5 goals and the Hammers have only once scored more than one goal in a game in their last nine fixtures. Liverpool have scored more than once in only one of their last seven Premier League outings, and four of their last six games have had fewer than 2.5 goals.</span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: 1px; color: #1e1e1e; line-height: 21px; padding-bottom: 0.5em;"> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Two teams that haven't been scoring or conceding many of late makes Under 2.5 Goals at odds of <span class="inline-odds has-qtip" data-hasqtip="5" oldtitle="5/6" style="background: rgb(255, 184, 12); font-weight: 600; padding: 3px 2px 1px;" title=""><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; transition: color 0.2s;">1.85</span></span> a standout bet.</span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: 1px; color: #1e1e1e; line-height: 21px; padding-bottom: 0.5em;"> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /><span style="font-weight: 600;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; transition: color 0.2s;">Correct Score</span></span></span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: 1px; color: #1e1e1e; line-height: 21px; padding-bottom: 0.5em;"> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This isn't a market that I tend to get involved with very often, but given all the reasoning I have laid out above I think it's worth having a few quid on the <span style="font-weight: 600;">1-0 correct score</span> at odds of <span class="inline-odds has-qtip" data-hasqtip="6" oldtitle="11/1" style="background: rgb(255, 184, 12); font-weight: 600; padding: 3px 2px 1px;" title=""><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; transition: color 0.2s;">12.00</span></span>.</span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: 1px; color: #1e1e1e; line-height: 21px; padding-bottom: 0.5em;"> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /><span style="font-weight: 600;">Recommended Bets</span></span></div> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: 1px; color: #1e1e1e; font-weight: 600;"></span></span><br /> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: 1px; color: #1e1e1e; line-height: 21px; padding-bottom: 0.5em;"> <span style="font-weight: 600;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; transition: color 0.2s;">1pt Back West Ham to win @</span> <span class="inline-odds has-qtip" data-hasqtip="7" oldtitle="3/1" style="background: rgb(255, 184, 12); padding: 3px 2px 1px;" title="">4.00</span><br /><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #1e1e1e; outline: none; transition: color 0.2s initial initial;">2pts Back Under 2.5 Goals @</span><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #1e1e1e; outline: none; transition: color 0.2s;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; transition: color 0.2s;"> </span></span><span class="inline-odds has-qtip" data-hasqtip="8" oldtitle="5/6" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: #ffb80c; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #1e1e1e; outline: none; padding: 3px 2px 1px; transition: color 0.2s initial initial;" title="">1.85</span></span></span></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEhndUxNUmx5QiTom8fHGSI3ROvwFsxUDStbAVb-ZAnr48DYf55KKfvwk6v5X0a4QAFqEKf35J3Mvxo5iuEbDFM1T_UZNwvPBeEBaQRVgiJpVTl6zZUcji7GscLxOB-ZcWtKOSpSGOeQ/s1600/95.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEhndUxNUmx5QiTom8fHGSI3ROvwFsxUDStbAVb-ZAnr48DYf55KKfvwk6v5X0a4QAFqEKf35J3Mvxo5iuEbDFM1T_UZNwvPBeEBaQRVgiJpVTl6zZUcji7GscLxOB-ZcWtKOSpSGOeQ/s400/95.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: 1px; color: #1e1e1e; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; padding-bottom: 0.5em;"> <br /></div>

West Ham v Liverpool: Hammers offer value in low-scoring game

West Ham v Liverpool Saturday, 12:45 Live on BT Sport 1 West Ham Following five consecutive draws - three of which were goalless - mana...

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Villarreal to prove tough test for Gary Neville’s Valencia

<h2 style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 500; line-height: 1.4em; margin-bottom: 0.375em; text-rendering: optimizeLegibility;"> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Villarreal v Valencia</span></h2> <div style="-webkit-font-feature-settings: 'liga' 1, 'dlig' 1; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 24.5455px; word-break: break-word; word-wrap: break-word;"> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700;"></span></span></div> <ul style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 24.5455px; list-style-type: none; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> <li style="box-sizing: border-box;">La Liga</li> <li style="box-sizing: border-box;">Thursday, December 31st</li> <li style="box-sizing: border-box;">Kick-off: 15:00 GMT</li> <li style="box-sizing: border-box;">El Madrigal, Villarreal</li> <li style="box-sizing: border-box;">Live on Sky Sports 1</li> </span></span></ul> <div style="-webkit-font-feature-settings: 'liga' 1, 'dlig' 1; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 24.5455px; word-break: break-word; word-wrap: break-word;"> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700;"></span></span></div> <div style="-webkit-font-feature-settings: 'liga' 1, 'dlig' 1; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 24.5455px; word-break: break-word; word-wrap: break-word;"> <span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Gary Neville makes a short trip north with his Valencia side who take on an in-from Villarreal, who are unbeaten in five across all competitions, winning four and drawing once.</span></span></div> <h2 style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 500; line-height: 1.4em; margin-bottom: 0.375em; text-rendering: optimizeLegibility;"> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Formidable forward force</span></h2> <div style="-webkit-font-feature-settings: 'liga' 1, 'dlig' 1; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 24.5455px; word-break: break-word; word-wrap: break-word;"> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The <span style="color: #004191;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.298039); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700;">Yellow Submarine will be confident of sinking Valencia, and are odds-on at 5/6 courtesy of Coral to do so</span></span>, with an array of attackers who were in prolific form before the winter break.</span></div> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700; line-height: 24.5455px;"></span></span><br /> <div style="-webkit-font-feature-settings: 'liga' 1, 'dlig' 1; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 24.5455px; word-break: break-word; word-wrap: break-word;"> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Attacking midfielder Denis Suarez sunk Real Sociedad away from home, with a brilliant brace and, as a result, the talented 21-year-old Spaniard is 13/5 to find the net anytime once more.</span></div> <div> <div style="-webkit-font-feature-settings: 'liga' 1, 'dlig' 1; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 24.5455px; word-break: break-word; word-wrap: break-word;"> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In their last home match against Real Madrid, Villarreal remarkably emerged victorious, with Roberto Soldado scoring the only goal. The imposing striker is 9/2 to break the deadlock, while Cedric Bakambu who bagged a brace at home at the beginning of December is 13/8 to net anytime.</span></div> <h2 style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 500; line-height: 1.4em; margin-bottom: 0.375em; text-rendering: optimizeLegibility;"> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Neville needs draws converted into wins</span></h2> <div style="-webkit-font-feature-settings: 'liga' 1, 'dlig' 1; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 24.5455px; word-break: break-word; word-wrap: break-word;"> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Since he has taken over, under Neville’s stewardship, Valencia have taken two points from six in La Liga, as well as winning a Copa del Rey match.</span></div> <div style="-webkit-font-feature-settings: 'liga' 1, 'dlig' 1; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 24.5455px; word-break: break-word; word-wrap: break-word;"> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">While it arguably takes a while for players to adapt to a new coach’s methods, the team need to start picking up wins and fans will remember that they beat Villarreal 3-1 in this fixture last season.</span></div> <div style="-webkit-font-feature-settings: 'liga' 1, 'dlig' 1; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 24.5455px; word-break: break-word; word-wrap: break-word;"> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">On that occasion, Shkodran Mustafi surprised everyone to bag a brace and the defender is 17/2 to net again anytime. Last time out, Paco Alcacer scored the opener and is 13/2 to break the deadlock, while fellow striker <span style="color: #004191;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.298039); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700;">Santiago Mina has scored three in the club’s last five fixtures across all competitions and is 7/2 to net anytime</span></span>.</span></div> </div> <div> <div style="-webkit-font-feature-settings: 'liga' 1, 'dlig' 1; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 24.5455px; word-break: break-word; word-wrap: break-word;"> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">While the <span style="color: #004191;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.298039); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700;">second half of the La Liga season make for an intriguing prospect for Neville</span></span>, the former Manchester United player does have targets, earmarking both cup competitions and a top four finish as aims.</span></div> <div style="-webkit-font-feature-settings: 'liga' 1, 'dlig' 1; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 24.5455px; word-break: break-word; word-wrap: break-word;"> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><em style="box-sizing: border-box;">“I know there are strong sides in both cup competitions but we have to be ambitious,”</em> Neville said.</span></div> <div style="-webkit-font-feature-settings: 'liga' 1, 'dlig' 1; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 24.5455px; word-break: break-word; word-wrap: break-word;"> <em style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“I was never defeatist as a player and I have not changed. We finished fourth last season so that has to be the aim.”</span></em></div> </div> <div> <em style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></em></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjwD6WInHYhwEpVuKkX97yZAT4PTIAn4SKOrHE10yh90Lj8z1BVzK-2b4kSs-Fr1ve_YsEqbJwduF7PZ0cLdU-b2eSrrinW1pkk0iSaI6d9gflVvXGtVOA2oTOkUuKBuoKYn7YnFcxhA/s1600/24.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="165" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjwD6WInHYhwEpVuKkX97yZAT4PTIAn4SKOrHE10yh90Lj8z1BVzK-2b4kSs-Fr1ve_YsEqbJwduF7PZ0cLdU-b2eSrrinW1pkk0iSaI6d9gflVvXGtVOA2oTOkUuKBuoKYn7YnFcxhA/s400/24.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> <div> <em style="box-sizing: border-box;"><br /></em></div>

Villarreal to prove tough test for Gary Neville’s Valencia

Villarreal v Valencia La Liga Thursday, December 31st Kick-off: 15:00 GMT El Madrigal, Villarreal Live on Sky Sports 1 Gary Ne...

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Man United v Swansea: Brace yourselves for a clean sheet or two

<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: 1px; background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #1e1e1e; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0.5em; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Man United </span><span class="inline-odds has-qtip" data-hasqtip="1" oldtitle="4/7" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: #ffb80c; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 3px 2px 1px;" title="">1.58</span><span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> v Swansea </span></span><span class="inline-odds has-qtip" data-hasqtip="2" oldtitle="6/1" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: #ffb80c; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 3px 2px 1px;" title="">7.20</span><span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">; The Draw </span></span><span class="inline-odds has-qtip" data-hasqtip="3" oldtitle="10/3" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: #ffb80c; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 3px 2px 1px;" title="">4.30</span><br style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" />Saturday, 15:00</span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: 1px; background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #1e1e1e; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0.5em; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><br style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><span style="border: 0px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Man United</span></span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: 1px; background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #1e1e1e; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0.5em; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">The winless count in all competitions is now up to eight games, which is the longest it has been since January 1990, but there was a slight increase in optimism after a 0-0 draw with Chelsea last time out which, if nothing else, brought an end to a four-match losing streak.</span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: 1px; background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #1e1e1e; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0.5em; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Louis van Gaal said that the players' effort ensured there he had no need to consider resigning, and it doesn't appear as though fans will force his exit either. They <span style="border: 0px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">resisted the bait</span> of the Jose Mourinho scarves being sold outside the ground, with many instead applauding the current boss at the start and finish.</span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: 1px; background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #1e1e1e; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0.5em; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Another positive for the Dutchman is that his injury list has been trimmed rather than extended by the hectic Christmas schedule. The number of players sidelined has dropped to four, yet unfortunately they are all wide men: Luke Shaw, Marcos Rojo, Antonio Valencia and Jesse Lingard.</span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: 1px; background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #1e1e1e; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0.5em; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><br style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><span style="border: 0px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Swansea</span></span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: 1px; background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #1e1e1e; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0.5em; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; transition: color 0.2s;">As anticipated on Betting.Betfair earlier this week</span>, <span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; transition: color 0.2s;">Alan Curtis has taken over as</span> <span class="inline-odds has-qtip" data-hasqtip="4" oldtitle="85/40" style="background: rgb(255, 184, 12); border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 3px 2px 1px;" title="">3.10</span>favourite in the Next Swansea Manager market on account of a successful start to his caretaker stint, with a return of five points from the last available nine keeping them above the relegation zone.</span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: 1px; background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #1e1e1e; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0.5em; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Curtis hasn't wildly altered the Garry Monk formula, but the change does seem to have stirred a reaction from the players, with Monday's point at Crystal Palace especially impressive given the squad rotation that he engineered, which included benching Andre Ayew and Gylfi Sigurdsson.</span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: 1px; background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #1e1e1e; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0.5em; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">That cautious approach to the fixture pile-up has <span style="border: 0px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">limited the number of injuries</span> that they have to contend with. Federico Fernandez is the sole regular who might not make it, with Wayne Routledge, Franck Tabanou and Eder also doubts.</span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: 1px; background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #1e1e1e; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0.5em; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><br style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; transition: color 0.2s;">Match Odds</span></span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: 1px; background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #1e1e1e; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0.5em; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Swansea have beaten Man United three times in a row and on each of those occasions, the 20-time champions were carrying a lot more momentum into the collision, either due to winning their previous contest or - on the opening day of 2014/15 - due to enjoying a formidable pre-season.</span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: 1px; background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #1e1e1e; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0.5em; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">So with the Red Devils in terrible form and their Welsh guests beginning to rebuild their confidence courtesy of a run of three games without a defeat - every single one against teams in the top two-thirds of the table - <span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; transition: color 0.2s;">it is a surprise that the away triumph is trading at enormous odds of</span> <span class="inline-odds has-qtip" data-hasqtip="5" oldtitle="6/1" style="background: rgb(255, 184, 12); border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 3px 2px 1px;" title="">7.20</span>.</span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: 1px; background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #1e1e1e; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0.5em; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">It wasn't just last term that the Swans won at Old Trafford either, they were also victorious in the FA Cup in 2013/14 when David Moyes was in charge of the hosts, so they are targeting a third win in three campaigns at the Theatre of Dreams, and a fifth success in six against them at all venues.</span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: 1px; background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #1e1e1e; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0.5em; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><br style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; transition: color 0.2s;">Under 2.5 Goals</span></span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: 1px; background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #1e1e1e; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0.5em; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">The one benefit for Man United of their transition from drawing all the time to losing all the time was that it kicked their 0-0 habit, though even that development was established as temporary by their stalemate with Chelsea on Monday.</span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: 1px; background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #1e1e1e; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0.5em; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Seven of their past ten Premier League encounters have delivered under 2.5 goals, including four in five at home, and Swansea are the kind of opponents likely to enhance those ratios further at <span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; transition: color 0.2s;">the appealing price of</span> <span class="inline-odds has-qtip" data-hasqtip="6" oldtitle="4/5" style="background: rgb(255, 184, 12); border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 3px 2px 1px;" title="">1.83</span>.</span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: 1px; background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #1e1e1e; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0.5em; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">The Swans have kept three successive clean sheets and their most recent three matches churned out just one goal in total while, even before that sequence, their 2-1 reverse at Manchester City only scaled those heights due to two 90th-minute strikes.</span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: 1px; background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #1e1e1e; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0.5em; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><br style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><span style="border: 0px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Recommended Bet:</span></span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: 1px; background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #1e1e1e; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0.5em; text-align: justify;"> <span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; transition: color 0.2s;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; transition: color 0.2s;">Back under 2.5 goals @</span><span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; transition: color 0.2s;"> </span></span><span class="inline-odds has-qtip" data-hasqtip="7" oldtitle="4/5" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: #ffb80c; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 3px 2px 1px; transition: color 0.2s;" title="">1.83</span></span></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioOaiiSYWS59_T_WazAbchZJCelWgGYf9IJbkZtNzj4wS4UoT6xXbq7n_xtmJB1niuJVSCnPoINpNmfjYblk06g7QCurd-w0HnCZEtG9cn_aD0tfkB1mAyDueAgzWXhqsd2vinOaYegQ/s1600/92.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="283" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioOaiiSYWS59_T_WazAbchZJCelWgGYf9IJbkZtNzj4wS4UoT6xXbq7n_xtmJB1niuJVSCnPoINpNmfjYblk06g7QCurd-w0HnCZEtG9cn_aD0tfkB1mAyDueAgzWXhqsd2vinOaYegQ/s400/92.JPG" width="400" /></a></div> <div> <span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; transition: color 0.2s;"><span class="inline-odds has-qtip" data-hasqtip="7" oldtitle="4/5" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: #ffb80c; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 3px 2px 1px; transition: color 0.2s;" title=""><br /></span></span></div>

Man United v Swansea: Brace yourselves for a clean sheet or two

Man United  1.58  v Swansea  7.20 ; The Draw  4.30 Saturday, 15:00 Man United The winless count in all competitions is now up to eight ...

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Liverpool look a banker for away win at struggling Sunderland

<h2 style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 500; line-height: 1.4em; margin-bottom: 0.375em; text-rendering: optimizeLegibility;"> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Sunderland v Liverpool</span></h2> <div style="-webkit-font-feature-settings: 'liga' 1, 'dlig' 1; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 24.5455px; word-break: break-word; word-wrap: break-word;"> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700;"></span></span></div> <ul style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 24.5455px; list-style-type: none; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> <li style="box-sizing: border-box;">Premier League</li> <li style="box-sizing: border-box;">Wednesday, December 30th</li> <li style="box-sizing: border-box;">Kick-off: 19:45 GMT</li> <li style="box-sizing: border-box;">Stadium of Light, Sunderland</li> <li style="box-sizing: border-box;">Live on Sky Sports 1</li> </span></span></ul> <div style="-webkit-font-feature-settings: 'liga' 1, 'dlig' 1; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 24.5455px; word-break: break-word; word-wrap: break-word;"> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700;"></span></span></div> <h2 style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 500; line-height: 1.4em; margin-bottom: 0.375em; text-rendering: optimizeLegibility;"> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Reds worthy favourites to win on Wearside</span></h2> <div style="-webkit-font-feature-settings: 'liga' 1, 'dlig' 1; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 24.5455px; word-break: break-word; word-wrap: break-word;"> <span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Liverpool have won their last two trips to Sunderland and, with Sam Allardyce’s side struggling some <span style="color: #004191;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.298039); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; box-sizing: border-box;">seven points from Premier League safety</span></span>, it is hard to see anything other an away win.</span></span></div> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700; line-height: 24.5455px;"></span></span><br /> <div style="-webkit-font-feature-settings: 'liga' 1, 'dlig' 1; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 24.5455px; word-break: break-word; word-wrap: break-word;"> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Coral are entirely justified, then, in making Jurgen Klopp’s Red odds-on 7/10 favourites for victory at the Stadium of Light, with the hosting Black Cats a big price at 9/2 to record an upset.</span></div> <div> <div style="-webkit-font-feature-settings: 'liga' 1, 'dlig' 1; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 24.5455px; word-break: break-word; word-wrap: break-word;"> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Sunderland have the worst top-flight defensive record with 37 goals conceded, so it is difficult to even make the case for a draw at 11/4. Big Sam could be without both John O’Shea and Younes Kaboul, leaving the home team short at centre half.</span></div> <h2 style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 500; line-height: 1.4em; margin-bottom: 0.375em; text-rendering: optimizeLegibility;"> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Former Kop flops have plenty to prove</span></h2> <div style="-webkit-font-feature-settings: 'liga' 1, 'dlig' 1; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 24.5455px; word-break: break-word; word-wrap: break-word;"> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">That will leave much of the defending in the hands of ex-Anfield prospect Sebastian Coates, but the rangy Uruguay international is yet to fulfill the potential that a 6ft 5in physical centre back should in the Premier League.</span></div> <div style="-webkit-font-feature-settings: 'liga' 1, 'dlig' 1; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 24.5455px; word-break: break-word; word-wrap: break-word;"> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If O’Shea fails to overcome a calf problem, Coates will have an even older partner in rusty veteran Wes Brown. A Black Cats backline pairing such as this will find stopping Liverpool scoring nigh on impossible.</span></div> </div> <div> <div style="-webkit-font-feature-settings: 'liga' 1, 'dlig' 1; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 24.5455px; word-break: break-word; word-wrap: break-word;"> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">One bright light for Sunderland in a bleak mid-winter has been the festive form of Fabio Borini – another that failed to rock the Kop. He’s scored in successive games before his battle with his old employers, albeit consolation goals.</span></div> <div style="-webkit-font-feature-settings: 'liga' 1, 'dlig' 1; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 24.5455px; word-break: break-word; word-wrap: break-word;"> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Italy international <span style="color: #004191;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.298039); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700;">Borini is worth taking, though, in an enhanced matchday special bet of 9/2 to score anytime</span></span>. Punters can stake a maximum of £20 on this boosted price, which in the regular market is 7/2.</span></div> <h2 style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 500; line-height: 1.4em; margin-bottom: 0.375em; text-rendering: optimizeLegibility;"> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Benteke often batters Black Cats</span></h2> <div style="-webkit-font-feature-settings: 'liga' 1, 'dlig' 1; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 24.5455px; word-break: break-word; word-wrap: break-word;"> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">When on Aston Villa’s books during better times for the West Midlands outfit, who like Allardyce’s side are already staring relegation in the face, Christian Benteke had a huge hand in crushing Sunderland.</span></div> </div> <div> <div style="-webkit-font-feature-settings: 'liga' 1, 'dlig' 1; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 24.5455px; word-break: break-word; word-wrap: break-word;"> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The big Belgium frontman starred in a 6-1 thumping, hitting a hat-trick in 2013, but it is the brace he bagged when last visiting the Stadium of Light earlier this year in a 4-0 rout that added extra evidence to backing Benteke in scorer markets.</span></div> <div style="-webkit-font-feature-settings: 'liga' 1, 'dlig' 1; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 24.5455px; word-break: break-word; word-wrap: break-word;"> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #004191;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.298039); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700;">Available in an enhanced 5/2 wincast again with a maximum stake of £20, Benteke</span></span> is also a super 6/1 shot to score two goals or more against the Black Cats yet again.</span></div> <div style="-webkit-font-feature-settings: 'liga' 1, 'dlig' 1; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 24.5455px; word-break: break-word; word-wrap: break-word;"> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Having talked with Reds boss Klopp, he is looking to become more of a team player.<em style="box-sizing: border-box;">“I spoke with the manager a few days ago about where I can improve and what he is expecting from me,”</em> Benteke said. <em style="box-sizing: border-box;">“I have to run more and I have to be there for my team-mates.”</em></span></div> <h2 style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 500; line-height: 1.4em; margin-bottom: 0.375em; text-rendering: optimizeLegibility;"> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Merseyside men should smash Sunderland</span></h2> </div> <div> <div style="-webkit-font-feature-settings: 'liga' 1, 'dlig' 1; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 24.5455px; word-break: break-word; word-wrap: break-word;"> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If Liverpool reproduce the breath-taking away displays that saw Southampton hit for six in the Capital One Cup, and Manchester City humbled in November, then<span style="color: #004191;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.298039); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700;">another matchday special of 9/4 on an away win by two or more goals</span></span> is worth investing in.</span></div> <div style="-webkit-font-feature-settings: 'liga' 1, 'dlig' 1; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 24.5455px; word-break: break-word; word-wrap: break-word;"> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Klopp’s crew will have to do without Divock Origi and Daniel Sturridge on Wearside, as neither are being risked for this trip. That means more is needed from Brazil international duo Philippe Coutinho and Roberto Firmino, who are both 7/4 anytime scorer shouts here.</span></div> <div style="-webkit-font-feature-settings: 'liga' 1, 'dlig' 1; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 24.5455px; word-break: break-word; word-wrap: break-word;"> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Clean sheets on the road are also something of a novelty for the Reds, so yet another matchday special of 3/1 for an away win and both teams scoring should be considered.</span></div> </div> <div> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh2kyICctQzjJy8iBG9Oue_be_MpjdRDrXJKTezBL8RKy9oQNr_spWDxDgfKYdchyphenhyphen_Hayyjg1NThQ6K_Ukbk8_ptTZJjVeh88AOVdIMcD3j5REZpADYZMZ5SAIcUHUtY7rFaryeTMlRQ/s1600/92.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="165" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh2kyICctQzjJy8iBG9Oue_be_MpjdRDrXJKTezBL8RKy9oQNr_spWDxDgfKYdchyphenhyphen_Hayyjg1NThQ6K_Ukbk8_ptTZJjVeh88AOVdIMcD3j5REZpADYZMZ5SAIcUHUtY7rFaryeTMlRQ/s400/92.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> <div> <br /></div>

Liverpool look a banker for away win at struggling Sunderland

Sunderland v Liverpool Premier League Wednesday, December 30th Kick-off: 19:45 GMT Stadium of Light, Sunderland Live on Sky Sports ...

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La Liga Betting: Benitez to go for broke in the Bernabeu again

<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: 1px; background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #1e1e1e; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0.5em; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="border: 0px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Real Madrid v Real Sociedad<br style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" />Wednesday 15:00</span> (Live on Sky Sports 1)<br style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Real</span> <span class="inline-odds has-qtip" data-hasqtip="1" oldtitle="2/15" style="background: rgb(255, 184, 12); border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 3px 2px 1px;" title="">1.13</span>, Sociedad <span class="inline-odds has-qtip" data-hasqtip="2" oldtitle="25/1" style="background: rgb(255, 184, 12); border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 3px 2px 1px;" title="">26.00</span>, The Draw <span class="inline-odds has-qtip" data-hasqtip="3" oldtitle="10/1" style="background: rgb(255, 184, 12); border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 3px 2px 1px;" title="">11.50</span></span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: 1px; background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #1e1e1e; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0.5em; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Real Madrid are two points behind Barcelona, having played a game more, and <span style="border: 0px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Rafa Benitez</span> is feeling the heat.</span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: 1px; background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #1e1e1e; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0.5em; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">To curb some of the calls for his head, he has let his team off the leash at the <span style="border: 0px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Bernabeu</span>. Playing with more attacking freedom, <span style="border: 0px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Los Blancos</span> have scored 18 times in winning their last two Liga and Champions League home games.</span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: 1px; background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #1e1e1e; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0.5em; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Over the last five seasons, Real Sociedad have made 11 trips to the Big Two and lost on every occasion. Their defeats in the capital have been 4-1, 5-1, 4-3, 5-1 and 4-1.</span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: 1px; background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #1e1e1e; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0.5em; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">We backed Over 4.5 Goals for the visit of Rayo Vallecano just before Christmas and, with Sociedad's <span style="border: 0px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Imanol Agirretxe</span> in good form (12 goals in 14 Liga appearances this term), Wednesday's visitors can do their bit to get this fixture over the same line for a sixth consecutive season.</span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: 1px; background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #1e1e1e; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0.5em; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Recommended Bet<br style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; transition: color 0.2s;">Back Over 4.5 Goals @</span> <span class="inline-odds has-qtip" data-hasqtip="4" oldtitle="7/4" style="background: rgb(255, 184, 12); border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 3px 2px 1px;" title="">2.70</span></span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: 1px; background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #1e1e1e; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0.5em; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><br style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><span style="border: 0px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Rayo Vallecano v Atletico Madrid<br style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" />Wednesday 17:15</span> (Live on Sky Sports 2)<br style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; transition: color 0.2s;">Rayo</span> <span class="inline-odds has-qtip" data-hasqtip="5" oldtitle="6/1" style="background: rgb(255, 184, 12); border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 3px 2px 1px;" title="">6.80</span>, Atletico <span class="inline-odds has-qtip" data-hasqtip="6" oldtitle="8/13" style="background: rgb(255, 184, 12); border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 3px 2px 1px;" title="">1.60</span>, The Draw <span class="inline-odds has-qtip" data-hasqtip="7" oldtitle="10/3" style="background: rgb(255, 184, 12); border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 3px 2px 1px;" title="">4.30</span></span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: 1px; background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #1e1e1e; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0.5em; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Atletico Madrid surprisingly lost 1-0 at Malaga last time out. That result ended a winning streak of nine across all competitions, but we expect <span style="border: 0px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Diego Simeone's</span> men to take all three points from this week's short trip across the capital to <span style="border: 0px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Vallecas</span>.</span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: 1px; background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #1e1e1e; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0.5em; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Football Form Labs data shows that, under <span style="border: 0px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Paco Jemez</span>, Rayo have lost 14/18 at home to top-six finishers. Last season, they were an improved W1-D2-L3 and it's worth noting that all six matches finished with Under 2.5 Goals.</span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: 1px; background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #1e1e1e; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0.5em; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">This season, Rayo have not played anyone as high up the table as Atletico. In four matches against teams now ranked 6th to 11th, they've scored just a single goal.</span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: 1px; background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #1e1e1e; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0.5em; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Atletico have let in just three goals across eight Liga away matches in 2015/16 and the Win to Nil is our best bet.</span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: 1px; background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #1e1e1e; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0.5em; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Recommended Bet<br style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; transition: color 0.2s;">Back Atletico Madrid Win to Nil @</span> <span class="inline-odds has-qtip" data-hasqtip="8" oldtitle="5/4" style="background: rgb(255, 184, 12); border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 3px 2px 1px;" title="">2.30</span></span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: 1px; background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #1e1e1e; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0.5em; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><br style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><span style="border: 0px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Barcelona v Real Betis<br style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" />Wednesday 19:30</span> (Live on Sky Sports 2)<br style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; transition: color 0.2s;">Barcelona</span> <span class="inline-odds has-qtip" data-hasqtip="9" oldtitle="1/12" style="background: rgb(255, 184, 12); border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 3px 2px 1px;" title="">1.08</span>, Betis <span class="inline-odds has-qtip" data-hasqtip="10" oldtitle="43/1" style="background: rgb(255, 184, 12); border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 3px 2px 1px;" title="">44.00</span>, The Draw <span class="inline-odds has-qtip" data-hasqtip="11" oldtitle="17/1" style="background: rgb(255, 184, 12); border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 3px 2px 1px;" title="">18.50</span></span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: 1px; background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #1e1e1e; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0.5em; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Barcelona, the newly crowned <span style="border: 0px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Club World Champions</span>, drew two Liga games in a row before jetting off to Japan earlier this month. With <span style="border: 0px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Messi</span>, <span style="border: 0px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Suarez</span> and <span style="border: 0px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Neymar</span> all fit and in good form, they should not drop any more points this week.</span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: 1px; background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #1e1e1e; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0.5em; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Real Betis' first away game of the season brought a 5-0 defeat at the Bernabeu. It left them with a W0-D0-L7 record on the road to the Big Two since 2011/12. The Andalusians did at least score in all six previous games. With Barca logging just two clean sheets in their most recent seven outings at the <span style="border: 0px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Camp Nou</span>, the price on Both Teams to Score looks generous.</span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: 1px; background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #1e1e1e; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0.5em; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="border: 0px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Pepe Mel's</span> men are W4-D2-L1 on the road since that defeat to Real. They have scored in 5/7, while conceding just three further goals.</span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: 1px; background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #1e1e1e; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0.5em; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Barcelona's firepower should overwhelm them in the end, but there is an interesting pattern in the champions' home wins under <span style="border: 0px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Luis Enrique</span>: they have been level at the break in 10/23. At a big price, we're also ready to punt on Betis holding out for at least half a game.</span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: 1px; background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #1e1e1e; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0.5em; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Recommended Bet<br style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; transition: color 0.2s;">Back Both Teams to Score @</span> <span class="inline-odds has-qtip" data-hasqtip="12" oldtitle="8/5" style="background: rgb(255, 184, 12); border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 3px 2px 1px;" title="">2.56</span><br style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; transition: color 0.2s;">0.5pts - Back Draw/Barcelona @</span> <span class="inline-odds has-qtip" data-hasqtip="13" oldtitle="5/1" style="background: rgb(255, 184, 12); border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 3px 2px 1px;" title="">5.80</span></span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: 1px; background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #1e1e1e; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0.5em; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><br style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><span style="border: 0px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Villarreal v Valencia<br style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" />Thursday 15:00</span> (Live on Sky Sports 1)<br style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; transition: color 0.2s;">Villarreal</span> <span class="inline-odds has-qtip" data-hasqtip="14" oldtitle="10/11" style="background: rgb(255, 184, 12); border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 3px 2px 1px;" title="">1.90</span>, Valencia <span class="inline-odds has-qtip" data-hasqtip="15" oldtitle="4/1" style="background: rgb(255, 184, 12); border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 3px 2px 1px;" title="">4.80</span>, The Draw <span class="inline-odds has-qtip" data-hasqtip="16" oldtitle="13/5" style="background: rgb(255, 184, 12); border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 3px 2px 1px;" title="">3.65</span></span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: 1px; background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #1e1e1e; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0.5em; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">This fixture has seen both teams to score in each of its last four runnings. And we've found other numbers to support the idea that there will no clean sheets again this week.</span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: 1px; background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #1e1e1e; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0.5em; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Valencia's last five away matches have also been against teams currently in the <span style="border: 0px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">top half</span> (W1-D1-L3). Four of the five brought goals at both ends.</span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: 1px; background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #1e1e1e; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0.5em; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">At <span style="border: 0px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">El Madrigal</span>, Villarreal have scored and conceded in 6/8 Liga games so far this season (W6-D1-L1).</span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: 1px; background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #1e1e1e; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0.5em; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Recommended Bet<br style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;">Back Both Teams to Score @</span><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; transition: color 0.2s;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; transition: color 0.2s;"> </span></span><span class="inline-odds has-qtip" data-hasqtip="17" oldtitle="21/20" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: #ffb80c; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 3px 2px 1px;" title="">2.06</span></span></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdgv1_UJM_avGMNbpu00dRqNm0qSxONgBtC_FR0MNcDS-CUaSfJdPnO5o7iTrXlEgeb7e_ehcXPnc1BAv_gPKXXnXYi4x14sZNspJTmSG7GYf6aLYyhWL8knbyIg4swGt52Gdatpg_Wg/s1600/19.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdgv1_UJM_avGMNbpu00dRqNm0qSxONgBtC_FR0MNcDS-CUaSfJdPnO5o7iTrXlEgeb7e_ehcXPnc1BAv_gPKXXnXYi4x14sZNspJTmSG7GYf6aLYyhWL8knbyIg4swGt52Gdatpg_Wg/s400/19.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> <div> <span style="border: 0px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span class="inline-odds has-qtip" data-hasqtip="17" oldtitle="21/20" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: #ffb80c; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 3px 2px 1px;" title=""><br /></span></span></div>

La Liga Betting: Benitez to go for broke in the Bernabeu again

Real Madrid v Real Sociedad Wednesday 15:00  (Live on Sky Sports 1) Real   1.13 , Sociedad  26.00 , The Draw  11.50 Real Madrid are two p...

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Coral’s Rumour Reel: Arsenal hunting Hernandez signature

<h2 style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 500; line-height: 1.4em; margin-bottom: 0.375em; text-rendering: optimizeLegibility;"> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Hernandez hunted by Gunners</span></h2> <div style="-webkit-font-feature-settings: 'liga' 1, 'dlig' 1; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 24.5455px; word-break: break-word; word-wrap: break-word;"> <span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">With the January transfer window only days away from opening once again, clubs are readying themselves for high-profile bids around Europe, including many Premier League teams.</span></span></div> <div> <span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700;"><div style="-webkit-font-feature-settings: 'liga' 1, 'dlig' 1; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: normal; line-height: 24.5455px; word-break: break-word; word-wrap: break-word;"> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Arsene Wenger is one manager that could be busy in the winter window, after a very quiet summer which saw only Petr Cech arrive from London rivals Chelsea, and the Gunners are reportedly eyeing a hopeful move for a former Manchester United hitman in Javier Hernandez.</span></div> <div style="-webkit-font-feature-settings: 'liga' 1, 'dlig' 1; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: normal; line-height: 24.5455px; word-break: break-word; word-wrap: break-word;"> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Such a switch would be a dagger through the Red Devils faithful’s hearts, having witnessed the Mexican be offloaded last summer to Bundesliga outfit Bayer Leverkusen, and his clinical form in front of goal could help Arsenal finally claim another Premier League title this term.</span></div> <h2 style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 500; line-height: 1.4em; margin-bottom: 0.375em; text-rendering: optimizeLegibility;"> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Arsenal aiming at attacking reinforcements</span></h2> <div style="-webkit-font-feature-settings: 'liga' 1, 'dlig' 1; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: normal; line-height: 24.5455px; word-break: break-word; word-wrap: break-word;"> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Mexico marksman Hernandez has been deadly since arriving in Germany, having been declared as an unnecessary part of Louis van Gaal’s squad this year, striking an incredible 19 goals in 21 outings for Bayer this current campaign after departing Old Trafford.</span></div> <div> <div style="-webkit-font-feature-settings: 'liga' 1, 'dlig' 1; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: normal; line-height: 24.5455px; word-break: break-word; word-wrap: break-word;"> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As well as hoping to acquire Hernandez in January, Wenger is also aiming to lure Celta Vigo’s 29-year-old forward Nolito to north London, with the Gunners boss happy to include indifferent attacker Joel Campbell in any deal to force through a switch.</span></div> <div style="-webkit-font-feature-settings: 'liga' 1, 'dlig' 1; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: normal; line-height: 24.5455px; word-break: break-word; word-wrap: break-word;"> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Premier League hopefuls’ proposed bid for signing of 23-year-old Mohamed Elneny from Basel could pave the way for fellow midfielders and club veterans Mathieu Flamini, Mikel Arteta and Tomas Rosicky to leave after many years of service.</span></div> <h2 style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 500; line-height: 1.4em; margin-bottom: 0.375em; text-rendering: optimizeLegibility;"> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Man City still seeking Neymar</span></h2> <div style="-webkit-font-feature-settings: 'liga' 1, 'dlig' 1; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: normal; line-height: 24.5455px; word-break: break-word; word-wrap: break-word;"> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Neymar has become one of the best players in world football since arriving at the Nou Camp from his homeland of Brazil, helping Barcelona clinch a historic treble last season alongside fellow South Americans Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez.</span></div> </div> <div> <div style="-webkit-font-feature-settings: 'liga' 1, 'dlig' 1; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: normal; line-height: 24.5455px; word-break: break-word; word-wrap: break-word;"> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Although, there have been suggestions of late that the Brazilian superstar has grown tired of his Spanish surroundings and may seek a move elsewhere, with Manchester City still trying effortlessly to land the Catalans’ attacking menace.</span></div> <div style="-webkit-font-feature-settings: 'liga' 1, 'dlig' 1; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: normal; line-height: 24.5455px; word-break: break-word; word-wrap: break-word;"> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Manuel Pellegrini’s Sky Blues are the favourites to lift the top-flight crown this season, but their odds would undoubtedly sky-rocket if a mammoth move for Neymar was sealed in <span style="color: #004191;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.298039); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700;">what could be an intriguing January transfer window</span></span>.</span></div> </div> <div> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <span style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmb_TUkCkl_1VE4WhzyR5oM2Y8DrL79DNxJLeZXX9v1w6HozFATt4VRVbLiHB5LNYQ0OjnQrnb6L96XG9V0k4DHcZT6RVgGyRAMpYyjA-TMyVkhoa0BZu_HsbYE01fu_Q8kFmaxP3f4A/s400/9.jpg" width="400" /></span></div> <div> <br /></div> </span></div>

Coral’s Rumour Reel: Arsenal hunting Hernandez signature

Hernandez hunted by Gunners With the January transfer window only days away from opening once again, clubs are readying themselves for hi...

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The Big Match Tactical View: Leicester v Man City

<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: 1px; background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #1e1e1e; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0.5em; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">L<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">eicester v Manchester City</span><br style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" />Tuesday, 19:45<br style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" />Live Sky Sports 1</span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: 1px; background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #1e1e1e; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0.5em; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><br style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" />Match Odds: <span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; transition: color 0.2s;">Leicester</span> <span class="inline-odds has-qtip" data-hasqtip="0" oldtitle="16/5" style="background: rgb(255, 184, 12); border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 3px 2px 1px;" title="">4.20</span>, Manchester City <span class="inline-odds has-qtip" data-hasqtip="1" oldtitle="10/11" style="background: rgb(255, 184, 12); border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 3px 2px 1px;" title="">1.93</span>, The Draw <span class="inline-odds has-qtip" data-hasqtip="2" oldtitle="3/1" style="background: rgb(255, 184, 12); border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 3px 2px 1px;" title="">4.10</span></span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: 1px; background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #1e1e1e; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0.5em; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><br style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" />This should be a fascinating tactical battle between two sides who play in entirely contrasting manners, but the real intrigue comes from this being such an incredibly unlikely top-of-the-table clash.</span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: 1px; background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #1e1e1e; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0.5em; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Leicester's title chances took a blow with their 1-0 defeat to Liverpool on Boxing Day - but they, Manchester City and Arsenal have all taken three points from the previous two Premier League rounds, so essentially the status quo has been preserved.</span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: 1px; background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #1e1e1e; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0.5em; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Perhaps the most interesting thing about Leicester's defeat to Liverpool was the fact <span style="border: 0px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Claudio Ranieri</span> substituted both Jamie Vardy and Riyad Mahrez in the second half, which meant the Foxes were without their best two attackers when attempting a fightback, but means they might be a little sharper for this contest.</span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: 1px; background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #1e1e1e; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0.5em; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Ranieri clearly considered this game against City particularly important, and will be determined to Vardy and Mahrez to prove him right with a couple of starring performances here.</span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: 1px; background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #1e1e1e; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0.5em; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">We know exactly how Leicester will play here. They'll give City plenty of time on the ball, likely to sit back and defend deep to ensure <span style="border: 0px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Sergio Aguero</span>'s pace doesn't expose Wes Morgan and Robert Huth's lack of mobility. The full-backs will probably tuck inside and afford City a fair amount of space in wide areas, which should suit Aleksandar Kolarov, who consistently provides great service from the left flank. Jesus Navas might also be a decent bet for City, despite his frustrating inconsistency - this could be a good game for a proper winger.</span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: 1px; background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #1e1e1e; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0.5em; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">The area where Leicester should be particularly worried is between the lines, however. At least one of David Silva and <span style="border: 0px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Kevin de Bruyne</span> will operate in that zone, and attempt to thread passes through for Aguero. Leicester work hard without possession but realistically their organisation isn't what you'd expect for a truly top-level side, with opponents often able to find space either side of the two central midfielders - theoretically perfect for Silva.</span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: 1px; background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #1e1e1e; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0.5em; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Where Leicester will really fancy their chances, though, is going forward. As always, the two key players are <span style="border: 0px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Mahrez and Vardy</span>, and City will have to be extremely careful of being exposed on the counter-attack.</span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: 1px; background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #1e1e1e; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0.5em; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Mahrez is excellent at dribbling forward from deep and might relish the chance to break into the space behind Kolarov - assuming the Serbian starts rather than the more cautious Gael Clichy. City won't want Eliaquim Mangala to be forced out wide to cover for the left-back - he tends to make curious decisions in those situations.</span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: 1px; background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #1e1e1e; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0.5em; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Vardy will look to <span style="border: 0px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">work the channels</span> on the outside of Mangala and Nicolas Otamendi. The latter likes to stick tight to opponents but can get carried away with the physical side of things, notably collecting a ridiculous booking for fouling Olivier Giroud in City's recent defeat to Arsenal.</span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: 1px; background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #1e1e1e; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0.5em; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">It will be interesting to see how Otamendi plays against Vardy, who catches the eye mainly with his pace, but also has the physical edge you expect from a player who spent so much time in non-league.</span></div> <span style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: 1px; border: 0px; color: #1e1e1e; font-weight: 600; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"></span></span><br style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;" /> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: 1px; background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #1e1e1e; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0.5em; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">The pattern of the game is fairly obvious: City to dominate possession, Leicester to <span style="border: 0px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">counter-attack quickly</span> in the channels through their two key men. Both sides will probably be more cautious than usual, but you'd expect to see goals at both ends here.</span></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9q2fZcDbZMK-M1SlslftPha3r5E-udlB5ra71HzPrmS_2QPWdMyvZRlPRI1flDyKs-hF8f7CkG2b9Qt-3xcFuhRAO-nvSQPMtQ7P4zOHrjqAao6KUlWxQ3J3J5Wa__dAtWIllaKmG7A/s1600/89.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="280" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9q2fZcDbZMK-M1SlslftPha3r5E-udlB5ra71HzPrmS_2QPWdMyvZRlPRI1flDyKs-hF8f7CkG2b9Qt-3xcFuhRAO-nvSQPMtQ7P4zOHrjqAao6KUlWxQ3J3J5Wa__dAtWIllaKmG7A/s400/89.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> <div> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><br /></span></div>

The Big Match Tactical View: Leicester v Man City

L eicester v Manchester City Tuesday, 19:45 Live Sky Sports 1 Match Odds:  Leicester   4.20 , Manchester City  1.93 , The Draw  4.10 Th...

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